Timing your rituals using the moon & stars

Choosing the right day and time to do your magick can feel overwhelming. This is some guidance intended to help you understand how to time your ritual easily and effectively using lunar manifestation. 

Aim for when the moon will be sharing a positive aspect with the planet you’re working with (trines and sextiles are ideal). If there is some kind of extraordinary astrological phenomenon (a jazzy Jupiter and Venus conjunction, for example) happening that might be more important than the phase of the moon, you should let that take precedence. Look at which planet rules the day of the week you’re looking at as well:

Sun rules Sunday

Moon rules Monday

Mars rules Tuesday

Mercury rules Wednesday

Jupiter rules Thursday

Venus rules Friday

Saturn rules Saturday

To help aid success I find the appropriate planetary hour. Use a planetary hours calculator to help with properly timing your rituals. Work that happens at the proper time has a much higher rate of success.

Set the stage by giving yourself a period of rest and quiet before you begin a lunar manifestation ritual once the plans are made and materials are gathered. I usually take the day or two leading up to that time to rest, organize my ritual space, cleanse my body and focus my energy inward. I begin once the time feels right. 

Rules of thumb: the planetary hour is more important than the day of the week, and the moon phase is more important than which sign the moon is in, but spectacular astrological events (whether good or bad) can take precedence over all of it. 

Start by asking yourself what you need to make this ritual the best it can be. Be discerning and creative to help yourself pinpoint which signs, planets, and/or elements your ritual will require. Then, find use a lunar calendar as well as a planetary hour calculator to help answer the following questions.

What is the season that would work best? Can we wait that long?

What phase of the moon are we aiming for? New, waxing, full, waning? Or another specific point in the monthly phase? The more specific, the harder this will be. Not impossible to find the right day that falls on the waning crescent moon you want (for example), but the narrower the range you start with the more calendar time you’ll need to find that perfect date.

What days during that date range are under the specific sign we are working with?

Or, if not that exact sign, what days will the moon be under a sign of that element?

Are any of those days on the corresponding day of the week?

Either way, it must be scheduled during the corresponding planetary hour.

When spells are properly timed the results can be phenomenal. Look at the planetary rulers of the signs to see which astrological moon phases can work best for you. Watch out for astrological events that align with your goals and use that energy to your advantage! Give yourself enough time to prepare your spell, all your ingredients, and to get yourself feeling mentally clear and ready for casting. Waiting a week or two (or even a few months in some cases) for the right timing can be the difference between mild success and everything working out perfectly.

I started working to manifest a new home for myself and family to live in. The small space we had previously occupied was much too small and we were ready for more space. We found a spacious apartment right away. When we moved in, it wasn’t exactly perfect, so I started working at it again when our lease was ending. We found a better, more appropriate place for us with more privacy that was exactly the same price. We don't share walls with anyone anymore, and it’s in a much more quiet neighborhood. It just took aiming for the right time, getting the energy moving, and being very specific with what we needed. Moving into the first apartment allowed us to see what was most important to us. I focused on exactly what we needed and executed my rituals at the perfect time, used the right ingredients, and found the perfect song to harmonize with my feelings.

Don’t be afraid to call on every tool that you can use to focus your intent and energy, including song, music, dance, art, etc. I had results in a matter of weeks. When I initially toured our new place I saw the little blooming rose bush in the backyard (roses are heavily associated with my patron goddess so I used them as an offering while manifesting this house) and I could feel that this was the place we would live before we even put in the rental application. Pay attention to anything, whether it’s a feeling or a symbol, to help you recognize when what you’ve asked for is being presented to you. Interpret the signs, use cards, or get a reading if you need that confirmation.

When not to do magic?
After so much talk of the proper time to do magic, here is a word of caution about when not to. It is best not to practice when you don’t feel like it. There isn’t one thing that will more quickly torpedo your efforts than not being present or not having your full attention and intention on the topic at hand.

I have also learned the hard way not to do manifestation workings during an eclipse. The eclipse points (aka North/South node) on your chart are a flash-point of fate, and the things that tend to happen during eclipses can be larger than what our will can contend with. Working with the power of the luminaries when their light is dimming seems illogical at best. It’s not something to necessarily be afraid of, but it is well advised to take the time between the twice-yearly eclipses, as well as the few days surrounding them, as a time to take a rest from practicing spellcraft and practice gratitude instead.